Flat optical fiber light emitters

ABSTRACT

Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/900,000, filed Jul. 27, 2004, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to light emitting members made of flatoptical fibers that emit light received through one or both ends out oneor both sides to provide a desired light output distribution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known to make light emitting members out of lightconducting panels, films, sheets, plates and optical fibers. Lightentering one or both ends of the light emitting members may be emittedfrom one or both sides by providing disruptions on one or both sides ina desired pattern.

An advantage in making light emitting members out of panels, films,sheets and plates is that they are relatively inexpensive to make.However, such light emitting panels, films, sheets and plates are not asefficient in transmitting light as light emitting members made out ofoptical fibers because they lack the cladding that optical fibers haveto keep the light in longer and allow the light to bedistributed/emitted where desired. Also it is difficult to control thethickness of injection molded light emitting panels, films, sheets andplates because of the stresses that occur in different areas of thelight emitting members during cooling after molding.

Heretofore a major drawback in making light emitting members out ofoptical fibers was the relatively high cost of manufacture. Also becausethe optical fibers used were round optical fibers of relatively smalldiameter, only a relatively small surface area of each optical fibercould be disrupted during the manufacturing process as compared to theamount of surface area of light emitting panels, films, sheets andplates that could be disrupted. This limited the relative overallbrightness of light emitting members made of optical fibers as comparedto light emitting panels, films, sheets and plates for a given lightemitting surface area.

Another disadvantage of previous light emitting members made of opticalfibers was that the ends of the optical fibers had to be bundled andsecured together by a connector assembly that served as an interfacebetween the optical fiber ends and a light source. Also it was difficultefficiently to couple a light source to such bundled optical fiber endportions because of the minute gaps between the optical fiber endportions and the irregular shape of the bundled optical fiber endportions.

There is thus a need for light emitting members that have the attributesof light emitting members made of both panels, films, sheets and platesand optical fibers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The light emitting members of the present invention are made out ofoptical fibers instead of light emitting panels, films, sheets or platesfor increased efficiency in keeping the light in longer and allowing thelight to be distributed/emitted where desired. However, instead of usinground optical fibers, flat optical fibers are used which have theadvantage that more surface area of the flat optical fibers can bedisrupted using known marring or abrading techniques for increasedbrightness for a given light emitting surface area.

Another advantage in making light emitting members out of flat opticalfibers instead of round optical fibers is that the ends of the flatoptical fibers need not be bundled and secured together by a connectorassembly to serve as an interface between the fiber ends and the lightsource as do round optical fibers. Flat optical fibers may bemanufactured in different thicknesses and widths to make it easier andmore efficient to couple one or more light sources includingparticularly surface mount light sources such as surface mount lightemitting diodes to the flat optical fiber ends. Surface mount lightemitting diodes are generally rectangular in cross section, which makesit relatively easy to optically couple them to the ends of flat opticalfibers by making the flat optical fibers of substantially the samethickness and either the same or greater width than the light sources.If the flat optical fibers have a width substantially greater than thatof the light sources, multiple light sources may be optically coupled tothe end of each optical fiber to provide for increased brightness. Alsobecause the ends of the flat optical fibers need not be bundled togetherby a connector assembly to serve as an interface between the opticalfiber ends and the light sources, the need for space to receive andstore bundled round optical fiber ends is eliminated.

Still another advantage in making light emitting members out of flatoptical fibers instead of round optical fibers is that a fewer number ofwider flat optical fibers may be used to produce an equivalent lightoutput. Flat optical fiber light emitters may be comprised of one ormore flat optical fibers depending on the light output requirements ofthe light emitters. Where multiple flat optical fibers are used, theflat optical fibers may be held together or mounted separately and mayif desired have gaps therebetween for lighting different areas of adisplay including for example a liquid crystal display, a graphicoverlay or different rows of keys of a keyboard or the like.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light emittingmembers comprise one or more flat cladded optical fibers havingdisruptions along at least a portion of their length to cause conductedlight to be emitted from at least one of the sides.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the disruptions maybe formed in one or both sides of the flat optical fibers by roughening,marring, abrading, etching, grit blasting or thermoforming one or bothsides of the flat optical fibers.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the disruptions maybe formed in a single inline process.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light emittingmembers may comprise a plurality of flat optical fibers held together byan adhesive film or by mechanical clips or fasteners.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the flat opticalfibers may have gaps therebetween for backlighting different areas of akeyboard or other type of display.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thickness of theflat optical fibers may substantially correspond to the thickness of thelight sources including particularly surface mount light sources such assurface mount light emitting diodes (including polymer light emittingdiodes and organic light emitting diodes) for ease of optically couplingthe light sources to the flat optical fibers.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the flat opticalfibers may be of different widths which may be the same or greater thanthe width of the light sources. If the width of the flat optical fibersis substantially greater than that of the light sources, multiple lightsources may be optically coupled to each flat optical fiber forincreased brightness.

These and other objects, advantages, features and aspects of theinvention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of butseveral of the various ways in which the principles of the invention maybe employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a length of flatoptical fiber that may be used to make light emitting members inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing one way in which one side ofa flat optical fiber (of any desired length) may be disrupted in asingle inline process.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 2 but showing one wayin which both sides of the flat optical fiber may be disrupted in asingle inline process.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing one way in which one of thesides of a plurality of flat optical fibers may be disrupted in a singleinline process.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 4 but showing one wayin which both sides of a plurality of flat optical fibers may bedisrupted in a single inline process.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary longitudinal section througha flat optical fiber of a light emitting member showing one disruptionin one side and a reflective coating in intimate contact with theoptical fiber cladding on the other side to cause reflected light to bereflected back toward the one side.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary longitudinal section similarto FIG. 6 but showing the reflective coating on the same side of theflat optical fiber as the disruption to cause refracted or reflectedlight to be reflected back toward the other side.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary longitudinal section similarto FIG. 7 but additionally showing a reflective coating partiallycovering the other side of the flat optical fiber leaving areas on theother side uncoated through which refracted or reflected light may beemitted.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a surface mountlight source optically coupled to an end of a flat optical fiber of alight emitting member.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing surface mountlight sources optically coupled and mechanically attached to the ends ofa plurality of spaced apart flat optical fibers of a light emittingmember.

FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing a plurality ofsurface mount light sources optically coupled to an end of one flatoptical fiber of a light emitting member.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged schematic perspective views similar toFIGS. 9 and 11 but showing the surface mount light sources surfacemounted on a flex circuit or the like.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality ofsurface mount light sources optically coupled to the ends of a pluralityof flat optical fibers of a light emitting member wherein the opticalfibers are shown held together by an adhesive film.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality offlat optical fibers of a light emitting member held together by amechanical clip or fastener with gaps between the optical fibers.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality ofsurface mount light sources optically connected to an end of a pluralityof flat optical fibers of a light emitting member.

FIGS. 17-20 are enlarged schematic views showing surface mount lightsources optically coupled to an end of flat optical fibers of lightemitting members wherein the optical fiber ends have different shapes toredirect or focus the light into the optical fibers.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a surface mountlight source optically coupled to an end of a flat optical fiber of alight emitting member similar to FIG. 9 but showing a heat sink in closerelation to the light source for cooling the light source.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a surfacemount light source optically coupled to an end of a flat optical fiberof a light emitting member similar to FIG. 9 but showing a holeextending through opposite sides of the optical fiber to permit accessto opposite sides of the light emitting member through the hole.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality offlat optical fibers of a light emitting member extending behind aplurality of rows of keys of a keypad with gaps between the opticalfibers corresponding to the spacing between the rows of keys so one ofthe optical fibers extends behind each row of keys for backlighting oneor more keys in each row.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality offlat optical fibers of a light emitting member backlighting a liquidcrystal display.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a plurality offlat optical fibers of a light emitting member backlighting a graphicoverlay.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing a flat opticalfiber of a light emitting member extending along a surface of a medicalinstrument such as a retractor for lighting an area adjacent theretractor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein the same referencenumbers are used to designate like parts, and initially to FIG. 1, thereis shown a flat optical fiber 1 of any desired length having oppositeflat sides 2 and 3 and opposite side edges 4 and 5 and ends 6 and 7. Theflat optical fiber 1 has a light transmitting core portion 8 made of asuitable optically transparent material such as glass or plastic havingthe desired optical characteristics and flexibility. Surrounding thecore portion 8 is an outer sheath or cladding 9 having an index ofrefraction that is different than that of the core material, wherebysubstantially total internal reflection is obtained at the core-claddinginterface, as well known in the art.

To cause conducted light entering one or both ends of one or more flatoptical fibers 1 to be emitted from one or both sides 2 and 3 thereof,the flat optical fibers may be disrupted at one or more areas alongtheir length as by roughening, marring, abrading, etching, grit blastingor thermally deforming one or both sides. FIGS. 2-5 schematically showone way of disrupting one or both sides of one or more flat opticalfibers in a single inline process by passing the flat optical fibersbetween a pair of rotating pressure rollers 10 and 11.

One or more flexible flat optical fibers of any desired length may bewound on a spool or spindle (not shown) for ease of handling and storageand pulled off the spool and passed between a pair of opposed pressurerollers to provide disruptions 12 on one or both sides of the fibers. InFIGS. 2 and 4 the surface of only one of the rollers 10 may be roughenedor serrated or covered with a diamond coating or grit sandpaper or othersuitable abrasive material to provide an abrasive surface 15 thereon fordisrupting (e.g., marring or abrading) one side 2 of one or more flatoptical fibers during passage between the rollers with the rollerspressing against the fibers in a single inline process. The other rollermay be hard or have a deformable cover as desired. In FIGS. 3 and 5, thesurface of both rollers 10 and 11 may be provided with an abrasivesurface 12 of suitable type for marring or abrading both sides 2 and 3of one or more flexible flat optical fibers during passage between therollers with the rollers pressing against the fibers in a single inlineprocess.

The size, depth, density and/or location of the disruptions 12 in one orboth sides of the flat optical fibers may be varied as desired as bymoving the rollers toward and away from each other during the marring orabrading process to cause conducted light to be emitted from one or bothsides of the fibers in a uniform or non-uniform pattern as desired.

A reflective coating may be directly applied in intimate contact to thecladding surface 9 on one side of the flat optical fibers 1 to act as aback reflector for reflecting the conducted light toward the oppositeside. FIG. 6 schematically shows a reflective coating 16 in intimatecontact with the cladding 9 on the side 3 of the flat optical fiber 1opposite the side 2 having the disruptions 12 (only one of which isshown) for reflecting conducted light CL back toward the side with thedisruptions, whereas FIG. 7 shows the reflective coating 16 in intimatecontact with the cladding 9 on the side 2 having the disruptions 12 forreflecting the conducted light CL from that side back toward the otherside 3. Also FIG. 8 shows the reflective coating 16 completely coveringthe side 2 of the flat optical fibers 1 having the disruptions 12thereon and only partially covering the other side 3 leaving uncoveredareas 17 on the other side through which refracted or reflected lightmay be emitted.

The size (including thickness, width and length) of the flat opticalfibers as well as the number of flat optical fibers used to make aparticular light emitting member in accordance with the presentinvention may be varied depending on the particular application, as maythe size, type and number of light sources used to supply light to oneor both ends of the flat optical fibers. However, the flat opticalfibers used to make a particular light emitting member will typicallyhave a thickness of between 0.010 inch and 0.035 inch and a width ofbetween 0.070 inch and 3 inches, with a ratio of thickness to width ofless than 0.5. Also the flat optical fibers will typically have a lengthgreater than 5 inches, with a ratio of thickness to length of less than0.007.

FIGS. 9 and 11 show light emitting members 20 and 21 each comprised of asingle flat optical fiber 1 of different widths, lengths and/orthicknesses, whereas FIGS. 10 and 14-16 show light emitting members22-25, respectively, each comprised of multiple flat optical fibers 1 ofdifferent lengths, widths and/or thicknesses. In FIGS. 9, 10, 14 and 15the flat optical fibers 1 are shown as having a thickness and widthsubstantially corresponding to the thickness and width of a suitablesurface mount type light source 30 such as a surface mount lightemitting diode (LED) for direct coupling of the light sources to an endof the optical fibers. The flat optical fibers 1 shown in FIGS. 11 and16 also have a thickness substantially corresponding to the thickness ofa surface mount type light source, but have a width substantiallygreater than the width of a surface mount type light source to permitdirect coupling of a plurality of such light sources to an end of eachoptical fiber.

For example, the surface mount type LED 30 may have a rectangularcross-sectional shape with a thickness of approximately 0.030 inch and awidth of approximately 0.200 inch, and the flat optical fibers 1 mayhave substantially the same thickness as the LEDs and eithersubstantially the same width as the LEDs for optically coupling one LEDto an end of each flat optical fiber as shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 14 and 15or a substantially greater width for coupling multiple light sources toan end of each flat optical fiber as shown in FIGS. 11 and 16. As usedherein, the term light emitting diode or LED means and includes astandard surface mount type LED as well as a surface mount type polymerlight emitting diode (PLED) or surface mount type organic light emittingdiode (OLED).

One or more light sources 30 may be attached to an end of one or moreflat optical fibers 1 by a mechanical clip or fastener 31 as shown inFIG. 10. Alternatively the light sources 30 may simply be positioned andsupported adjacent an end of the flat optical fibers as shown in FIGS.9, 11, and 14-16. Where the light emitting members are comprised of aplurality of flat optical fibers, the flat optical fibers may beindependently positioned and supported relative to one another as shownin FIGS. 10 and 16 or held together by an adhesive film 32 as shown inFIG. 14 or by mechanical clips or fasteners 33 as shown in FIG. 15. Inany case, where the light sources are surface mount type light sources,side tabs or bottom contacts (not shown) may be provided on the lightsources for surface mounting one or more light sources on a flex stripor other type of flex circuit 34 in close proximity to an end of one ormore flat optical fibers as schematically shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

It is also important to polish the ends of the flat optical fibers towhich the light sources are optically coupled for more efficientcoupling of the light to the ends of the optical fibers. Moreover, theends of the flat optical fibers 1 that receive light from one or morelight sources may either be substantially flat as schematically shown at35 in FIG. 17 or lens shaped as schematically shown in FIGS. 18-20 toredirect or focus the light into the ends of the fibers. In FIG. 18 theend 36 of the fiber is shown as being transversely curved across itsentire width, whereas in FIGS. 19 and 20 the ends 37 and 38 of thefibers are shown as having different lens shapes 39 and 40 intermediatetheir width. Also the lens shape 39 is shown in FIG. 16 as beingrecessed within the end 37 of the fiber.

A heat sink 41 may be placed in close proximity to the light source 30adjacent an end of a flat optical fiber light emitting member 42 asschematically shown in FIG. 21 to aid in cooling the light source.Moreover, a hole 43 may extend through opposite sides of one or moreflat optical fibers 1 of a light emitting member 44 intermediate theside edges 4 and 5 of the flat optical fibers as schematically shown inFIG. 22 to permit access to one side of the light emitting member fromthe other side or vice versa through the hole without interfering withthe conduction of light through the particular flat optical fibercontaining the hole downstream of the hole.

Where the light emitting members are comprised of a plurality of flatoptical fibers, the spacing between the flat optical fibers may bevaried as desired to suit a particular application. For example, wheresuch a light emitting member 50 is used to backlight a keypad 51 havinga plurality of rows of keys 52, suitable gaps 53 may be provided betweenthe flat optical fibers 1 substantially corresponding to the spacingbetween a plurality of rows of the keys so the flat optical fibersextend behind a plurality of rows of the keys as schematically shown inFIG. 23 for backlighting one or more keys in each row. In otherapplications the flat optical fibers 1 that comprise a light emittingmember 55 may be placed closer together for backlighting a display 56such as a liquid crystal display 57 as schematically shown in FIG. 24 ora graphic overlay 58 as schematically shown in FIG. 25.

Moreover, the light emitting member 60 may be comprised of a single flatoptical fiber 1 having a desired width and length corresponding to thewidth and length of a portion of a medical instrument 61 such as aretractor blade 62 as schematically shown in FIG. 26. The flat opticalfiber 1 may also be bent or flexed to correspond to the shape of theretractor blade or other medical instrument and have a surface mountlight source 30 optically coupled to one end of the flat optical fiber 1as further shown in FIG. 26 for lighting an area adjacent at least aportion of the length of the medical instrument.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of the specification. In particular, with regard tothe various functions performed by the above described components, theterms (including any reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed component which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of theinvention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one embodiment, such featuremay be combined with one or more other features as may be desired oradvantageous for any given or particular application.

1. A light emitter comprising a plurality of flat optical fibers eachhaving opposite flat sides and opposite side edges and opposite ends,the fibers being disposed in a common plane in side-by-side relation toone another, at least one surface mount light source optically coupledto an end of each of the fibers, each light source having substantiallythe same thickness as each of the fibers to which each light source isoptically coupled, each of the fibers having a light conducting corethat is cladded by an outer cladding to keep light in for conductinglight entering the end of the fibers, and disruptions along at least aportion of the length of the fibers to cause conducted light to beemitted from at least one side of each of the fibers.
 2. The lightemitter of claim 1 wherein a plurality of light sources each havingsubstantially the same thickness and substantially less width than atleast some of the fibers are optically coupled to an end of at leastsome of the fibers in side-by-side relation to one another across thewidth of at least some of the fibers.
 3. The light emitter of claim 1wherein the disruptions are deformities on or in both sides of each ofthe fibers.
 4. The light emitter of claim 1 in combination with a keypadhaving a plurality of rows of keys, the fibers having gaps between thefibers corresponding to the spacing between the plurality of rows of thekeys so the fibers extend between the plurality of rows of the keys, thefibers having disruptions in spaced apart portions of their lengthcorresponding to the spacing between at least some of the keys in eachrow for backlighting at least some of the keys in each row.
 5. The lightemitter of claim 1 wherein the end of at least one of the fibers is lensshaped.
 6. The light emitter of claim 5 wherein the end of the at leastone fiber is transversely rounded across the width of the fiber.
 7. Thelight emitter of claim 1 wherein the end of at least one of the fibershas a lens shape intermediate the width of the fiber.
 8. The lightemitter of claim 7 wherein the lens shape is recessed within the end ofthe at least one fiber.
 9. The light emitter of claim 1 wherein aplurality of the fibers are held together by an adhesive film.
 10. Thelight emitter of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the fibers are heldtogether by mechanical clips or fasteners.
 11. A light emittercomprising at least one flat optical fiber having opposite flat sidesand opposite side edges and opposite ends, at least one surface mountlight source having substantially the same thickness as the fiberoptically coupled to an end of the fiber, the fiber having a lightconducting core that is cladded by an outer cladding to keep light infor conducting light entering the end of the fiber, disruptions along atleast a portion of the length of the fiber to cause conducted light tobe emitted from at least one side of the fiber, and a heat sink in closeproximity to the light source adjacent the end of the fiber for coolingthe light source.
 12. The light emitter of claim 11 wherein the lightsource is surface mounted on a flex circuit in close proximity to theend of the fiber.
 13. A light emitter comprising at least one flatoptical fiber having opposite flat sides and opposite side edges andopposite ends, at least one light source optically coupled to an end ofthe fiber, the fiber having a light conducting core that is cladded byan outer cladding to keep light in for conducting light entering the endof the fiber, disruptions along at least a portion of the length of thefiber to cause conducted light to be emitted from at least one side ofthe fiber, and a hole extending through opposite sides of the at leastone fiber intermediate the side edges downstream of the light source topermit access to opposite sides of the light emitter through the holewithout interfering with conduction of light from the light sourcethrough the fiber downstream of the hole.
 14. A light emitter comprisingat least one flat optical fiber having opposite flat sides and oppositeside edges and opposite ends, at least one surface mount light sourcehaving substantially the same thickness as the fiber optically coupledto an end of the fiber, the fiber having a light conducting core that iscladded by an outer cladding to keep light in for conducting lightentering the end of the fiber, disruptions along at least a portion ofthe length of the fiber to cause conducted light to be emitted from atleast one side of the fiber, the light emitter being in combination witha medical instrument, the at least one fiber extending along at least aportion of the length of the medical instrument for lighting an areaadjacent the medical instrument, the fiber being flexed to correspond toa non-planar shape of the medical instrument.
 15. A light emittercomprising at least one flat optical fiber having opposite flat sidesand opposite side edges and opposite ends, at least one surface mountlight source having substantially the same thickness as the fiberoptically coupled to an end of the fiber, the fiber having a lightconducting core that is cladded by an outer cladding to keep light infor conducting light entering the end of the fiber, and disruptionsalong at least a portion of the length of the fiber to cause conductedlight to be emitted from at least one side of the fiber, the at leastone light source having a substantially less width than the fiber. 16.The light emitter of claim 15 wherein a plurality of surface mount lightsources each having substantially the same thickness as the fiber andsubstantially less width than the fiber are optically coupled to the endof the fiber in side-by-side relation to one another across the width ofthe fiber.
 17. The light emitter of claim 15 wherein the light source isattached to an end of the fiber by a mechanical clip or fastener. 18.The light emitter of claim 15 further comprising a heat sink for coolingthe light source.
 19. A light emitter comprising at least one flatcladded optical fiber having opposite flat sides and opposite side edgesand ends, at least one of the ends being adapted to receive light from alight source for conduction of the light within the fiber, the fiberhaving deformities in at least one of the sides to cause conducted lightto be emitted from at least one of the sides, and a coating in intimatecontact with at least one of the sides.
 20. The light emitter of claim19 wherein the coating is a reflective coating that causes light emittedfrom the one side to be reflected back toward the other side.
 21. Thelight emitter of claim 19 wherein the deformities are in both sides ofthe fiber, and the coating is a reflective coating that is in intimatecontact with one of the sides to cause light emitted from the one sideto be reflected back toward the other side.
 22. The light emitter ofclaim 19 wherein the coating completely covers one of the sides, andonly partially covers the other side leaving open areas on the otherside through which the conducted light is emitted.
 23. The light emitterof claim 19 further comprising at least one surface mount light sourceoptically coupled to an end of the fiber, the light source having athickness substantially corresponding to the thickness of the fiber andhaving a width equal to or less than the width of the fiber.
 24. Thelight emitter of claim 23 wherein a plurality of surface mount lightsources are optically coupled to an end of the fiber, each of the lightsources having a width substantially less than the width of the fiber.